Ultraviolet Energy
Germicidal Ultraviolet Energy (UVC)
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Mother Nature's Way
Ultraviolet (UV) energy from the sun is used in nature to help cleanse outdoor air and to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms such as germs and bacteria. Ultraviolet Germicidal lights have been used indoors for many years as a trusted air purifying method in hospitals, labs, schools, nursing homes, office buildings, and other commercial and residential environments worldwide.
Forced Air Furnaces Distribute Pollutants
Your furnace provides a perfect environment for the growth and broadcast of germs, mold, bacteria, toxins and gases that cause unhealthy air conditions which are found in our homes. Your furnace is the collection point for re-circulating air in your home and is the ideal place to install an indoor air cleaning system to control harmful levels of indoor air pollutants.
Governmental Agencies Acknowledge and Identify the Problem
The Environmental Protection Agency has found that indoor air is always 2 to 5 times and sometimes 100 times worse than the worst outdoor air. You may not be able to see, smell or touch it, but this air pollution is impacting the health of your family. Many recent environmental and medical studies conclude that indoor air pollution is a major cause of respiratory problems including asthma, allergies and is directly related to other chronic ailments that we suffer from.
What are Bioaerosols?
Airborne pathogens - (microorganisms) - which cause infectious disease - bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold and mildew which cause allergic rhinitis, asthma and other respiratory ailments. Mold spores are probably the most common bioaerosols. Germs are also known as bioaerosols and pathogens. Other indoor air pollution includes volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and other toxins which are gases that cause allergies and other health problems and may cause odors. All of these micro-organisms and toxic compounds are controlled outdoors with UV light energy from the sun. This UV energy is not naturally present in our indoor air environment.
Basic Facts & Research Regarding Ultraviolet Energy (UV Light)
Quantum UV systems are designed to be installed into the duct work of your furnace and air conditioning system and are based on accumulated research data and actual field experience from Tri-Med Industries and Westinghouse Electric Corporation Lamp Divisions’ Research Laboratories. All ultraviolet energy is measured in nanometers. The wavelengths are shorter than visible light, therefore are invisible to the human eye. One of the wavelengths of ultraviolet light generated by the Quantum germicidal lamps are in the 254 nanometer range which are lethal or damaging to the bioaerosols described above.
The control zone of the Quantum germicidal lamp is intensified by using a patented U-shaped lamp and reflective mirror design. Within this control area micro-organisms may either be killed or damaged from exposure to the UVC energy produced by the lamps. This will disturb their DNA (reproductive code) and inhibit them from reproducing and spreading disease or illness and sub-stantially reducing the symptoms of allergies and asthma. The air in your home passes through your furnace several times an hour along with all of the airborne contaminants. This creates an ac-cumulative effect on micro-organism kill and DNA disruption when a Quantum unit is properly installed and maintained.
Articles on UV Energy
Recent articles from CNN.com and the prestigious medical journal The Lancet have been published about the beneficial effects of Ultraviolet (UV) light in office buildings. Also, many U.S.government buildingsare installing UV systems.
Quantum UV Systems Also Uses UVV (Ozone) To Control Toxic Gases in OxyQuantum Series
Ozone, first discovered in 1840, is produced in nature or artificially by man. In the Earth’s atmosphere, ozone is produced where oxygen is exposed to either ultraviolet light from the sun or an electrical charge, lightning. When this happens a single atom – (O1) –joins an oxygen molecule – (O2) – creating – (O3) or activated oxygen. One of ozone’s primary functions in nature is to purify the air we breathe.
OxyQuantum units also can create ozone (UVV) with a special dual frequency UV lamp. The size of the lamp used creates a predictable amount of UVV inside the duct work. This amount is measured at less than .05 ppm (parts per million) which is the EPA standard for safe limits of ozone within our indoor air environment.
It’s all about control, safety, and the health benefits achieved with the OxyQuantum. Please contact our IAQ hotline to talk to an Indoor Air Quality Specialist about the health benefits of whole-house air cleaning and having the right OxyQuantum product sized for your furnace and air conditioning system.
Ozone Ultraviolet Energy (UVV)
Ozone and Ultraviolet Energy In Nature
Ozone is naturally produced by the process of sunlight on oxygen molecules. This photochemical process is know as "solar photolysis". Sunlight breaks down some of the oxygen molecules into single atoms, which combine with other oxygen molecules to make ozone. Ozone is also created by the high electrical discharge of lightning. The chemical formula is:
O + O2 = O3
This triatomic form (O3) of oxygen is formed naturally in the upper atmosphere by a photochemical reaction with solar ultraviolet radiation. Ozone in the upper atmosphere (the Ozone Layer) absorbs much of the sun's intense ultraviolet radiation, thus protecting the earth from these damaging rays. Ozone is also measured in trace amounts in the lower atmosphere of earth and is Nature's way of oxidizing toxic gases, breaking them down into harmless component molecules.
Ultraviolet energy and ozone are not naturally present in our indoor air environment. Our indoor air is also the perfect breeding ground for microorganisms such as mold, bacteria, and fungi. Without Nature's control, these organisms thrive in damp basements, crawl spaces, furnaces and ductwork. Since the early 1970's we have tightened up the construction of our homes to conserve energy. Now, these tight homes lock in the the precious heating and air conditioning, but they also prevent the toxic compounds in carpeting, building materials, cleaning chemicals, other allergens, airborne particles, and infectious agents from leaving our homes.
Ultraviolet energy from the sun is invisible and its wavelengths are measures in nanometers. The Ozone Layer absorbs most harmful levels of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Continuous direct exposure to these UV rays is damaging to the skin and can cause skin cancer.
However, this same ultraviolet energy is also harmful to invisible micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, molds, fungi, and other bioaerosols. These UV rays are Nature's way of controlling the overgrowth of micro-organisms in our outdoor environment. Without this energy, microorganisms would proliferate to dangerous levels.
Articles on UV Energy
Everyday cleaning chemicals and personal care products can contain harmful compounds. The Harvard School of Public Health conducted a study on this issue.
For more information on tight homes, go to: IAQ Facts and Danger Levels. We now live in and breathe a chemical soup that may be a significant factor in respiratory ill-health. A recent study published in the September, 2003 issue of Environmental Science & Technology is the most comprehensive indoor air analysis to date. This study confirms how serious the problem is and how our contaminated indoor air environment negatively effects our health.
OxyQuantum Dual Wavelength UVC and UVV Germicidal and Ozone Systems
The solution to indoor air pollution concerns is to duplicate Nature's outdoor controls indoors. Ultraviolet energy and ozone can be created by man through this same photochemical process by using high output ultraviolet lamps positioned inside your existing ductwork. Dual wavelength UVC and UVV lamps are used in the Nature's Home OxyQuantum duct mount UV system for whole-house air disinfecting and odor control.
Nature's Home systems can accommodate just the germicidal lamps, or both germicidal and ozone-producing lamps
Unlike stand-alone "air purifiers" that cannot circulate air, Nature's Home systems are installed in your ductwork and take advantage of the concentrated air that is passing through the ducts. As the cooled or heated air is forced through the ducts and passes in front of the ultraviolet light, microorganisms are killed or disabled.
The OxyQuantum duct mount system uses one or two patented U-shaped dual wavelength ultraviolet lamps. Ultraviolet-C light measures at 254 nanometers and is the germicidal range (UVC), which is commonly called "UVC". Its primary use is for the destruction and control of bacteria and other microorganisms in the air. The U-shaped lamp and reflective mirror on the OxyQuantum systems increases the intensity of the high output lamps allowing them to deactivate and control a higher percentage of microorganisms on every pass. Multiple pass effectiveness is the highest in the industry.
The second wavelength of light produced by the OxyQuantum lamps is measured at 185 nanometers and is commonly referred to as UVV or ozone. Its primary use is to oxidize toxic compounds and gases for a safer and odor-free environment.
A recent study published by The Lancet medical journal (November 29, 2003) and reported by CNN and USA Today found that the use of UV lights in the ducts of office buildings reduced overall worker sickness by 20%, including a 40% drop in breathing problems and a reduction of up to 50% of other health related symptoms. This is a significant double-blind multiple crossover trial showing the positive effects of ultraviolet germicidal lights in an office environment. You will experience this same effect in your home environment with an OxyQuantum system installed in your ducts.
This Thing Called Ozone
The EPA warns of the harmful effects of room air purification systems that create ozone. We agree with the EPA that the higher levels of ozone produced by these room air purifiers can cause harmful side effects. Due to this fact, Nature's Home does not promote the use of any air cleaner that produces ozone directly into the living space. Our OxyQuantum units are installed in your duct work and produce low levels of ozone inside the ducts, not in the living area. As the ozone lamp does its work of oxidizing toxic compounds and gases carried by the air flow, it breaks down into harmless component molecules. The OxyQuantum is certified by the American Institute of Toxicology to produce only safe levels of UVV (ozone).
The EPA states that safe levels of ozone measure at .05 ppm (parts per million) or less in an indoor air environment. OSHA's safe levels are .10 ppm in the work place for an 8 hour period. Purdue University, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology published a study on the testing of the OxyQuantum system within a typical air handling duct system: Conclusion: The data clearly indicate that trivalent oxygen inhibits spore production by Aspergillus flavus at concentration below the safety levels set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); 0.05 ppm for a 24 hour exposure and 0.1 ppm for an 8 hour exposure. In fact measurements taken at 10 feet away from the OxyQuantum inside the duct were reported at .03 ppm.
Too Much of A Good Thing is Bad
It is common knowledge that high levels of anything is dangerous, but in small quantities is helpful. For example, when you have a headache do you take two aspirins or the whole bottle? Did you know that there are toxic levels of vitamins, antibiotics and even food items?
An analogy: To prevent bacteria and green stuff from growing in a swimming pool, would you fill the whole pool with bleach? No, that would be dangerous, even deadly, levels of chlorine. Yet you put low levels of chlorine or other germicides in the pool to keep the water clean, clear and healthy. We even drink minute quantities of chlorine in municipal water systems.
Everyone thinks of oxygen as a safe substance. The air you breathe consists of only 19% oxygen. Higher levels of oxygen can cause blindness and even be deadly. The same is true of ozone. Low levels of ozone in our air is safe and beneficial to our health. High amounts above EPA and OSHA safe levels can be an irritant and cause negative health effects.
It's all about control, safety, and the health benefits achieved with the OxyQuantum. Please contact our IAQ hotline to talk to an Indoor Air Quality Specialist about the health benefits of whole-house air cleaning and having the right OxyQuantum product sized for your furnace and air conditioning system.